Illuminated sign



Nov 28, 1933. M. G. RUPP 1,936,734

ILLUMINATED smfl Filed June 25, 1932 Patented Nov. 28, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE My invention relates to signs, mirrors, pictures, and other displays equipped with means for indirect illumination, and more particularly to means for throwing colored light thereon, and

5 my main object is to provide an apparatus which is capable of throwing light in different colors iipon the display.

Another object of the invention is to embody in the novel apparatus a set of vari-colored panels which may be positioned in the path of light if desired to throw light of different colors upon the display.

A further object of the invention is to design the novel color imparting means as a simple adjunct to the conventional lighting unit employed for indirect illumination.

A still further object of the invention is to adapt the novel color imparting means for continuous or intermittent operation by any suitable power mechanism.

An additional object of the invention is to construct the same on lines of utmost simplicity, whereby to involve a slightly added cost over that of the conventional indirect lighting unit.

with the above objects in view and any others that may suggest themselves from the specification and claim to follow, a better understanding of the invention may be had by reference to the accompanying drawing, in which 1 is a perspective view of a sign constructed accordance with the improved apparatus;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal section of the some; partly broken away;

Fig. 3 is a cross section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2; and

d is a perspective view of the novel color imparting element.

While my improvement deals with any type of picture, display or effect which may be 41 served by indirect lighting, the preferred emsediment thereof relates more particularly to glass signs, of the character indicated at 10, and in which the lettering or ornament is painted, etched, or sand blasted or otherwise applied. Signs of this type are frequently given indirect illumination by casting the light from the lamp or other lighting unit upon one of the edges of the glass, so that the light passes through the glass and imparts a glow to the same and a contrast to the lettering or ornamentation. A step further in this direction has been made by colormg the edge of the glass, so that the light passing therethrough is colored. However, in this form of sign or display, the nature of the color is fixed, and one must remove the coloring from the edge of the glass and apply a different color it a corresponding effect is desired for the sign or display.

In carrying out my invention, my intent is to impart any of a number of colors to the display at will, as anticipated. Assuming that the bottom edge of the glass 10 is the one to which the illumination is directed, I have shown a suitable hollow base 11 to receive the bottom portion of the glass, cross strips 12 being provided to support the same. The base 11 is made with a detachable bottom 11a, which may be supported on feet 12, if desired. Or, the base may be inverted, to have the glass project downwards, a suitable hanger being substituted for the feet and the glass being held by bolts. On the bottom 11a is mounted a conventional tubular lamp or lamps 13, the same being held in jaw-type terminals 130 mounted on insulated bases 13b and supplied with electricity by suitable lamp cord-not shown. ?5

While the elongated electric lamp 13 is in a position directly below the glass 10 and therefore suitable for casting light upwardly into the same,

it is necessary for the novel coloring unit to be added to serve my purpose. Accordingly, I mount a long frame is! of light metal in the upper portion of the base 11, extending this frame endwise with trunnions 14a which operate stifliy in bearings 111) formed from the end walls of the base 11. The frame 14 isof sheet metal and of a part polygonal cross section, each face being in the nature of a panel 14b in which is fitted a strip 15 of colored glass, celluloid or other transparent or translucent material, each strip being of a different color, with the trunnions 14a considered axially of the frame, it will be seen that the turning of the latter will successively locate panels of different colors in the path of light from the lamp 1%, throwing a colored glow or illumination through the glass 10.

if have added a knob 16 to one of the trunnions 14a to facilitate the turning of the panel frame by hand when different color effects are desired for the display. However, a suitable power mechanism may be substituted for this knob, preferably within the base ll and operated from the same lamp cord to automatically turn the frame in one direction and then in the reverse direction. Or, it may be feasible to construct the frame as a complete hollow polygon which is operated continuously or intermittently in one direction by the power mechanism.

It will be seen that the novel color imparting unit is a significant improvement over the plainly-lighted or singly-colored means for 11- 1 10 laminating displays of the type mentioned. The novel Imit enables a number 0! changes to occur in the illumination of the display which not only lends the same diii'erent color eiIects but also serve to attract the attention and interest of those who might otherwise casually notice the sign or'displayastheysee orpassthe same. The improvement does not in any way alter the'basic lighting unit, and does not complicate itor impair its efllciency. Finally, the improvement involves but-ordinary and well known materials which may be asembled cheaply and without undue skill, enabling the display to be produced at only slight additional cost over the conventional one. a

A sign comprising a hollow base comprising an upper section and a detachable bottom section; an elongated electric lamp positioned in said bottom section and providedwith end terminals for supporting said lamp at each end, said upper base section having a longitudinal slot therein, a glass sign in said slot having its inneredge exposed to the light oi said lamp, aligned bearings in the end of said base opposite said terminals, a frame said lamp lengthwise and comprising vertical end walls provided with trunnions positioned in said bearings and adapted to turn 

